Data Module 068 — Political & Cultural Intelligence
The Four
Imperial Cities
Each dynasty chose its capital. From the Idrisids founding Fez in 789 to Rabat becoming the modern seat of power in 1912 — seven dynasties, four cities, and the political architecture of a kingdom.
001 — The Power Map
Four Capitals, Seven Dynasties
002 — The Cities
Each One a Kingdom
Fez
فاس
Nickname
Spiritual & Cultural Capital · "Athens of Africa" · "Mecca of the West"
Population
~1.2 million
UNESCO
Medina of Fez — UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1981
Home to the oldest university in the world — al-Qarawiyyin (859 AD), founded by a woman, Fatima al-Fihri.
Marrakech
مراكش
Nickname
The Red City · City of a Thousand and One Nights
Population
~1.0 million
UNESCO
Medina of Marrakech — UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1985
Gave Morocco its name. The Koutoubia Mosque's 77m minaret inspired the Giralda of Seville.
Meknès
مكناس
Nickname
The Versailles of Morocco · Agricultural Capital
Population
~650,000
UNESCO
Historic City of Meknes — UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1996
Moulay Ismail's royal stables were designed for 12,000 horses. He ruled for 55 years.
Rabat
الرباط
Nickname
Modern Capital · City of Light
Population
~580,000 (1.8M+ metropolitan with Salé and Témara)
UNESCO
Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City — UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2012
Hassan Tower was meant to crown the world's largest mosque. The sultan died. It was never finished.
Although the political capital was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez has retained its status as the country’s cultural and spiritual centre.
— UNESCO World Heritage Centre
003 — The Dynasties
Seven Houses, One Throne
788–974
Arab (descendant of Prophet Muhammad via Ali)
Capital: Fez (founded 789)
First Muslim dynasty of Morocco. Founded Fez. Established Morocco as an independent state. Al-Qarawiyyin founded 859.
1040–1147
Sanhaja Berber (Saharan)
Capital: Marrakech (founded 1070)
Founded Marrakech. Empire from Sahara to Spain. Strict Maliki Islam. Built Ben Youssef Mosque.
1121–1269
Masmuda Berber (High Atlas)
Capital: Marrakech, then Rabat
Built Koutoubia, Hassan Tower, Kasbah of Udayas. Empire stretched from Libya to Spain. Intellectual golden age.
1244–1465
Zenata Berber (eastern Morocco)
Capital: Fez (Fez Jdid built 1276)
Fez's golden age. Built the great madrasas (Bou Inania, Al-Attarine). Al-Qarawiyyin library. First mellah.
1471–1554
Zenata Berber (Marinid branch)
Capital: Fez
Continued Marinid Fez. Weakened by Portuguese coastal incursions.
1554–1659
Arab (sharifs from Draa Valley)
Capital: Marrakech
El Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs. Defeated Portuguese at Battle of Three Kings (1578). Timbuktu campaign (1591). Sugar dynasty.
1631–present
Arab (sharifs from Tafilalt)
Capital: Fez → Meknès → Fez → Rabat
Current ruling dynasty. Moulay Ismail built Meknès. Mohammed V led independence. Mohammed VI reigns today.
Fez has never relinquished its heritage. More than anywhere else in Morocco, and perhaps the entire Arab world, this is the place to see a medieval city still living, still breathing.
— Moroccan National Tourist Office
004 — Key Numbers
The Data
859
Al-Qarawiyyin founded
By Fatima al-Fihri. Oldest continuously operating university. Founded by a woman.
9,000+
Alleys in Fez medina
~300 hectares. World's largest car-free urban area. UNESCO 1981.
77m
Koutoubia minaret
Marrakech's Almohad masterpiece. Template for Seville's Giralda and Rabat's Hassan Tower.
55
Years of Moulay Ismail's reign
1672–1727. Longest-reigning Moroccan sultan. Built 40+ km of walls around Meknès.
1912
Capital moves to Rabat
French Protectorate. Fez loses capital status after 1,100+ years of intermittent rule.
2012
Rabat UNESCO inscription
Uniquely recognises both historic and modern city. From Almohad fortress to Art Deco.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Medina of Fez (1981), Medina of Marrakech (1985), Historic City of Meknes (1996), Rabat Modern Capital & Historic City (2012)
Wikipedia — Fez, Morocco: Population, Idrisid founding, Marinid golden age, al-Qarawiyyin (859), Fez Jdid (1276), car-free urban area
Wikipedia — Fes el Bali: 9,000+ alleys, ~300 hectares, Almohad-era walls, Bou Inania/Al-Attarine madrasas, Mellah, Borj Nord/Sud
Morocco World News: Dynasty timeline, Moulay Ismail's Meknès, Almohad Rabat, Saadian Marrakech, Koutoubia inspiring Giralda
Visit Morocco (National Tourist Office): Fez "still living, still breathing," Marrakech four dynasties, Moulay Ismail legend
Wanderlust: UNESCO sites guide, al-Qarawiyyin as oldest university, Meknes Bab al-Mansour, Khanata bint Bakkar
Crossroads Cultural Exchange: Fez medina walls/gates/kasbahs, Marinid madrasas, Saadian bastions, Rabat Hassan Tower
Malika in Morocco: Comprehensive dynasty-capital mapping, Fez as capital for Idrisid/Marinid/Wattasid/Alaouite
Oasis Aventure / CaramelTrail: Al-Qarawiyyin founded by Fatima al-Fihri, 4,000 manuscripts, oldest library in world
Journey Morocco / Mozarkech: Moulay Ismail 40km walls, Battle of Alarcos, Mohammed III designating Rabat, French Protectorate 1912
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Sources: UNESCO, HCP Morocco